Best Tequila Cocktails: Top 10 Tequila Cocktail Recipes

1. Sangrita

Although the classic margarita (see below) may be the most famous tequila cocktail, the often overlooked sangrita is probably the most authentic one. Therefore, we wanted to approach it first as the definitive way to enjoy your tequila!

This short but opulent cocktail requires the following ingredients:

• 45 ml (1½ Oz) Reposado Tequila
• 30 ml (1 Oz) Lime Juice
• 100 g (½ Cup) Chopped Tomatoes
• 1 Tsp Chopped Red Onion
• Hot Sauce (To Taste)
• 1.5 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
• ¾ Teaspoon Black Pepper

Add all the lime, tomatoes, and onions to a blender and mix on high for three minutes. Feel free to add some hot sauce to taste. Chill in the fridge and when cold, pour into a tall “caballito” shot glass.

Serve the tequila with another chilled glass rimmed with a mixture of garlic powder, pepper, and salt. When drinking, take alternate sips from each drink, which will work as a palate cleanser.

Source: Don Julio Tequila

2. Margarita

The classic margarita is probably one of the most well-known summer cocktails in the world. Although partly thanks to its distinctive glassware, its flavours play a significant role, too.

It consists of the following:

• 45 ml (1½ Oz) Tequila
• 30 ml (1 Oz) Triple Sec
• 20 ml (¾ Oz) Lime Juice
• Lime Wedge
• 1 Tsp Sea Salt

Start by rimming the glass with the sea salt by moistening it first in lime juice and then rolling it in the salt. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a margarita glass but can be a tumbler instead. Fill the glass with crushed ice to chill it while you prepare the ingredients.

Add the ingredients to a mixer with ice and shake until cold. Strain the ingredients into the glass. You can discard the crushed ice or replace it if desired first. Garnish with a lime wedge.

3. Tequila Sunrise

Another classic tequila cocktail, the Sunrise is pretty to look at and relatively easy to make. It just needs a little patience! You’ll just need the following:

• 60 ml (2 Oz) Tequila
• 120 ml (4 Oz) Orange Juice
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Grenadine
• Orange Slice or Lemon Peel
• Maraschino Cherry

Begin by filling a highball or Tom Collins glass with ice cubes. and then pour in the orange juice and tequila. Stir it well and then slowly but surely pour in the grenadine around the insides of the glass. Don’t stir or shake it as you want the grenadine to sink to the bottom.

Garnish it with an orange slice or lemon peel as well as a maraschino cherry.

4. Jalisco Mule

A fantastic take on the classic Mule from Patrón, the Jalisco Mule is a simple yet refreshing cocktail to whip together on a hot day.

You’ll just need the following to make it:

• 60 ml (2 Oz) Tequila
• 90 ml (3 Oz) Ginger Beer
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Lime Juice
• Lime Wedge
• Candied Ginger

Add the lime and tequila to a chilled tumbler or metallic mug and fill it with crushed ice. Just top up with ginger beer to taste and stir before garnishing with a lime wedge and candied ginger.

Source: Patrón Tequila

5. Tequini

It was inevitable that there would be a tequila-style martini in this list. After all, it’s a cocktail that’s far from exclusive to just gin or vodka!

It requires just the following:

• 75 ml (2½ Oz) Tequila
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Vermouth
• 1 Dash Angostura Bitters
• Lemon Twist

Pour the vermouth, bitters and tequila into a shaker filled with ice and stir well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and then garnish with a lemon twist. Done!

6. Paloma

An extremely simple, refreshing, and zesty alternative to the sunrise, the paloma is a fantastic summer cocktail.

It just requires these ingredients:

• 45 ml (1½ Oz) Tequila
• 30 ml (1 Oz) Grapefruit Juice
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Lime Juice
• 1 Tsp Sea Salt
• Lime Wedge

Rim the edge of a tumbler glass with salt as described in the Margarita recipe above and fill with ice. Meanwhile, combine the tequila and lime juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake well. Strain into the glass and top up with grapefruit juice to taste. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Source: Don Julio Tequila

7. Resposado Old Fashioned

A killer alternative to the classic Old Fashioned, this cocktail reveals the qualities of a good reposado or añejo tequila. The result is a spectacular crescendo of flavours that plays on the syrupy aromas of the original cocktail.

It requires the following to make:

• 60 ml (2 Oz) Reposado or Añejo Tequila
• 7.5 ml (¼ Oz) Simple Syrup
• 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
• Orange Peel

Add the simple syrup to the bottom of a tumbler glass. If you don’t have any, you can just mix a drop of warm water with a teaspoon of sugar so that it dissolves quickly. Add the dashes of bitters and top up with ice. Pour the tequila over and gently stir.

When adding the orange peel, give it a good twist over the glass so its oils are released into the drink.

8. Casa Cosmo

We’re really fond of Casa Noble’s original take on the celebrated Cosmopolitan cocktail. It’s also a great opportunity to test out the versatility of good quality tequila.

You’ll need the following ingredients:

• 45 ml (1½ Oz) Tequila
• 20 ml (¾ Oz) triple Sec
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Lime Juice
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Pomegranate Juice
• Orange Peel

Stir all the ingredients in a mixing glass and strain over ice into a cocktail class. Finish with the orange peel garnish.

Source: Casa Noble Tequila

9. Posada Horchata

This smooth and creamy cocktail that is a wonderfully pleasant gourmand treat to say the least! If you can’t get your hands on real horchata, you could use almond or rice milk in a pinch. However, nothing beats the real thing.

You’ll just need the following:

• 60 ml (2 Oz) Reposado Tequila
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Horchata Liqueur
• 120 ml (4 Oz) Horchata
• 1 Cinnamon Stick
• 1 Tsp Cinnamon Sugar

Moisten the rim of a highball glass with water and rim with the cinnamon sugar. Fill it with ice and leave it to cool. Meanwhile, combine all the other ingredients and shake without ice. Remove the ice from the glass and strain in the ingredients. Garnish with the cinnamon stick to finish!

Source: El Jimador Tequila

10. Bloody Maria

What better way to end this list than a Bloody Maria? If you like spice, tequila, or just Bloody Marys, this is one to try! It’s a veritable flavour bomb and easy to make.

You’ll need the following:

• 45 ml (1½ Oz) tequila
• 120 ml (4 Oz) Tomato Juice
• Celery Stick
• Green Olives
• Lime Wedge
• Tabasco or Hot Sauce

Add the tequila and tomato juice to a shaker filled with ice as well as a few dashes of hot sauce to taste. Shake well until cold and then strain into a glass filled with ice. Use the celery stick to stir and then leave it as a garnish so its flavours marry with the tomato. You can also add olives and a lime wedge, too.

Source: El Jimador Tequila

What Next?

Now that you have read about the best tequila cocktails, why don’t you check out some of our related spirit guides?

• What Is Tequila?
• Best Tequila Brands
• How Tequila Is Made
• Best Gin Cocktails
• Vermouth Guide
• Best Spirit & Liquor Glassware
• Alcoholic Spirit Homepage